Wednesday, October 2, 2013

casual boxwood planters



via~HabituallyChic

via~Homedecorphotos.blogspot.com

I have always wanted boxwood planters by my front door.  Partly because I live in Chicago and by February I am longing for something green by the door.  The other part, well, I just like the look.  Our home is not formal.  A 1967 basic split.  And with boxwood containers generally evoking a feeling of formality, I was a bit torn.  So what's a girl to do?  After doing my research and finding some inspiration of loosely shaped boxwoods in simple planters I just went for it!








Our front porch is primarily shade so I have always planted ferns and impatiens.   I went with Green Velvet Boxwoods because they do very well in the shady areas of my front garden.

Some basic planting tips I found from various articles...

~Choose a fast draining pot that is at least as wide and tall as the plant itself
~Stay away from heavy soils such as topsoil
~Leave space at the top to keep water from spilling out
~Water at least once a week in the summer months...be careful not to over water
~Add compost in the spring
~Try to rotate your containers

If they do well we might just have some green this winter and I won't have to buy annuals this spring to fill the pots!

Are you working on any containers this season? 

As always happy making, baking and growing!!!





38 comments:

  1. It looks like your porch is ready for fall. I love the inspiration photos and I like your new boxwoods!! I hope they will stay green this winter... being next to the house should keep them a bit warmer. Hope you are well!

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  2. You always mention flowers or plants I am not familiar with. Of course I have heard of boxwood, but I would never be able to pick it out at the nursery. I will have to look into boxwood at the nursery tomorrow when i go to buy pansies. My back yard garden needs some color.

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  3. Love it, Nicole. I like Boxwoods. They are very versatile. And I also like that plant on your porch with orange and pink leaves! What is that? And while I am at it, I like your fall wreath and door. ;) The engraving on your door looks cool. Excuse me while I take a visual tour of your front porch. No creepiness intended. ;)

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  4. I absolutely adore it! I'm glad you went for it. I too, love boxwoods. It's so darn cold here we don't have many varities that do well. I love the orangerie boxes you put them in. FABULOUS!!!

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  5. I absolutely adore it! I'm glad you went for it. I too, love boxwoods. It's so darn cold here we don't have many varities that do well. I love the orangerie boxes you put them in. FABULOUS!!!

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  6. They look so nice! I love the planters you choose and you are making me want some pretty boxwoods by my front door, my porch needs....Something! Thanks for the tips Nicole! Hope live is great for you, have a wonderful rest of your week! Hugs!

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  7. Well they look casual, formal and sophisticated all at the same time. I have a few containers and it is time to switch them over this weekend because the summer stuff has gone over and I need to get my mini daffodils in ready for spring 2014. I always love calling in. Thanks as ever for your comments on my blog. Jo x

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  8. I have boxwood envy ;) and porch envy ;) it's lovely! Happy October my friend!! xo

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  9. They look very nice on your porch, and you will have some green all year. Your pictures are so pretty with the pumpkin and fall leaves.

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  10. They look like they were meant to be there all along! They frame up your front door beautifully. Love that wreath too. Belinda xx

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  11. I have a few boxwoods dotting my front garden ... they're fun to trim into very clean-cut shapes (I just keep mine trimmed into balls). Your front porch & door look so welcoming with the fall details! Really nice Nicole ... looks like your trees have turned with all the beautiful coloured leaves scattered about too ;) Have a great day! Wendy xo

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  12. they look awesome Nicole and they match in perfectly with your home-

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  13. Have you considered adding a sweet potaoe vine? That pop of bright green looks great with all the fall colors, plus being a annual they are WAY reduced at garden centers. I l have always placed them in my front door planters and get many compliments on them. I do live in southern maryland 7B, so maybe they would not work for your zone for fall. Lovely porch by the way.

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  14. I have always loved boxwoods in containers too, and I also thought my garden was not formal enough to use them well. But maybe I should! I do love the idea, and you show how nice a loose, untrimmed box can look by the front door. I like it.

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  15. The porch is looking lovely Nicole, and I really like the addition of the pumpkin!

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  16. I am soooooo jealous! I love them, too. I have a planter by my back door, where everyone comes and goes, and I've been thinking about putting one in it. It has fuchsias now, but I'm LOVING how yours looks. I think it's settled. :)

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  17. Your boxwood planters look very lovely, Nicole! I love the black door and the design of the planters really makes it pop. Very nice. Hugs xoxo

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  18. I have always loved this look too and yours are fantastic! I wish my house could carry them, but I don't think a 1980's faux pueblo-style stucco ranch could carry it off...if only! Nice job. :)

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  19. I will be planting tulips and some other bulbs in containers in a week or so. Your boxwood planters look good! Do you have to take them in for the winter? Also, do you like that boxwood smell?

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  20. ooh, I love those! I've been wondering what I can put in my planters once my mums die....this might be just what I need!

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  21. I've nominated you for a Liebster Award. As I think your blog deserves it. Have a look at my post (http://fabulous-farmliving.blogspot.com/2013/10/nominated-for-liebster-award.html) to read all about how it works and to carry forward the blogger award.
    Congratulations!!!
    Keren
    My Blog: Fabulous-farmliving

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  22. The boxwoods look great on your porch. Really good choice in the planter boxes. They give your space a more formal look. You have such a creative touch! Have a nice weekend!

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  23. Great project! You have lovely curb appeal. This is such a simple, effective way to pretty up the front entrance :)

    -Jade

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  24. Very cool, I love this look. I think it totally adds "drama" to the front door!

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  25. Looks fantastic.. Green and welcoming. Loving the pumpkin!!

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  26. This year I have Hebe in the planter near the frontdoor, but before I had boxwoods as a green welcoming. I am so sorry to say I often forgot to water them or they got too much water, so after 2 years they almost died and I had to rescue them by planting them at once in the garden.

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  27. I love the formal look of clipped boxwood and have several in the garden. But I haven't thought to put them in containers for some reason. I love your inspiration and what you did for your front porch. You have me inspired Nicole. Have a great weekend!

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  28. That is a beautiful porch!! Well done my friend, well done!!

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  29. Looks great, and with the pumkin.

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  30. Always wanted to do this (boxwood pots) Easy and convenient for keeping plants indoors.

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  31. Your front porch look so lovely and inviting. I have potted flowers at our front door, but I really love the look of boxed planters xo

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  32. I have the same love of boxwood in planters by the door...and the same thoughts of my house being casual. I had some in planters, but they got too large and were planted in the garden. Wish I still had some in pots, but I have so many in the yard, now. The landscaper who did our front walkway asked me if I found a sale on boxwood because I had ten little ones in pots. LOL I HAD! Love your planters..I used to have white ones like them. Gosh, don't we have good taste?

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  33. Oh your front porch looks great! I love box planters too but don't have the right type of house for them... silly awkward steps! Hazel x

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  34. THANK YOU, Nicole! I have been DYING for boxwood planters on my porch for years, but they always die. I assumed it was due to the shade, but didn't know there were shade-tolerant varieties. Time to try again! You've given me hope, my friend. ;)

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  35. looks fantastic!!! A really good idea. I don't know if it would work for me since I don't have the symmetry on my front porch, but the idea of having something I really like year round appeals to me...

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  36. I haven't tried to pot boxwood as in my cold winter climate, we'd have to do a lot of insulation to try to ensure that they would stay alive. But the idea of having green all year round is really enticing and your pair is very inviting!

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  37. Nicole your front door is just lovely and the plantar boxes fit perfectly! Did you make the wreath hanging on the door?

    Sophie xo

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  38. They look great and I really think that boxwoods are one of those shrubs that can go formal or casual. Can you share the size of your containers?

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